Embracing the only real tangible result of the Ivany Report—using the word “Ivany”—the Nova Scotia Community College is honouring Ray Ivany. To that end, NSCC’s waterfront campus will henceforth be known as the Raymond E. Ivany campus. The bold rebrand was announced during a ceremony Tuesday in Dartmouth. “NSCC is a place where youth are […]
Ivany Report
Posted inNews + Opinion
Wednesday’s 10 things you need to know
1 Two cannons were removed from Province House yesterday to restore their sandstone platforms. One, near the statue of Joseph Howe, was placed in 1829 and used to protect the Hollis Street entrance. The other, which was in storage, previously acted as Halifax’s noon and evening gun from 1882 to 1905. Some lucky communications worker […]
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Nova Scotia Tourism Agency chairman is now a tourist
Let’s be honest, we’d all move to Ontario if we could. It’s just strange to see the board chair for the province’s newly-created Tourism Agency moving with his family back to Upper Canada. As reports Jean Laroche at the CBC, Cabot Links owner Ben Cowan-Dewar plans to attend meetings “every month or two.” Board chairs, […]
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The Ivany Report perspective on the film tax credit cut
Dear premier Stephen McNeil and finance minister Diana Whalen, I want to congratulate you on developing and presenting a difficult budget. As a former Commissioner of ONE Nova Scotia (aka the Ivany Commission), I know all too well the financial and demographic challenges of this province. Hard decisions need to be made and new directions […]
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Just about everyone hates the new provincial budget
[Image-1] Yesterday, the Liberals capped off the worst winter in Nova Scotia’s recent history by dumping another load on the province that sure as shootin’ wasn’t snow.

The government unveiled this year’s budget, and Nova Scotia is expecting a $97-million deficit this year with total expenses topping out at a little over $10 billion. Given that […]
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Embrace big ideas or Nova Scotia will never turn the corner of prosperity
[Image-1] The March 21 Globe & Mail article, “The Incredible Shrinking Region,” is honest and depressing. While it provided important context and outlined our current economic and demographic challenges, it didn’t reveal any real surprises. The insightful political history was the only “new” content for me but then again, I was raised in central Canada […]
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The Ivany Report Report: Chapter four
[Image-1] The future prosperity of Nova Scotia should not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics. —Ray Ivany It seems the few times our elected officials take a break from partisan politics are during international hockey tournaments and following the death of well-respected, famous Canadians. Not even military action or war prompts the kind […]
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The Ivany Report Report: Chapter three
[Image-1] We have to work at this together. We have to find ways not to be at cross-purposes with other municipalities in the province. —Mike Savage, mayor There’s some debate out there about whether the Halifax region is the tried-and-true economic engine driving our sputtering provincial economy. It’s a big engine, but not the only […]
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The Ivany Report Report: Chapter two
[Image-1] From what I know, all my friends will try to settle here rather than going home. —Deric Johnson, graduate student Nova Scotia is home to young folks from foreign lands who came for their post-secondary education and stayed after graduation. But not nearly enough are willing or able to remain here. This province could […]
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The Ivany Report Report: Chapter one
[Image-1] If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. —Maya Angelou Economic renewal reports in Nova Scotia come and go, but the Ivany commission’s findings have generated lasting buzz. The commissioners’ report, which has vocal supporters and critics, spawned an all-party committee of politicians, businesspeople and others. Called […]
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Viola Desmond: The original Ivany Report champion
[Image-1] They really couldn’t have planned it any better. A year ago, the Ivany Commission issued its report, calling for three “critical areas of change” to help turn around the Nova Scotia economy: more community and business leaders; more people staying in the province; and more innovative, value-added businesses. Then, as if by some feat […]
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Shifting focus towards rural communities
[Image-1] From March 11 to 14, Dalhousie’s school of planning will host its annual SHIFT planning conference. This year, the focus is on the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities in Nova Scotia. Masters student and organizer Eliza Jackson took some time to speak with The Coast about what SHIFT is planning. The Coast: Why […]
